The term '''Gnomes''' was briefly used in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]]'s early work ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part 1|The Book of Lost Tales]]'' to describe the race of [[Elves]] that would become the '''[[Noldor]]'''. In those works he borrowed several folkloric names to describe his original creations, like [[Fae]], [[Elves]], [[Dwarves]], [[Ogres]] and [[Goblins]].

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{{disambig-two|an early concept of elves|race of elves the Gnomes became|[[Noldor]]}}

The term '''Gnomes''' was briefly used in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s early work ''[[The Book of Lost Tales (disambiguation)|The Book of Lost Tales]]'' to describe the race of [[Elves]] that would become the '''[[Noldor]]'''. In those works he borrowed several folkloric names to describe his original creations, like [[Fae]], [[Elves]], [[Dwarves]], [[Ogres]] and [[Orcs#Orcs and Goblins|Goblins]].

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

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The word likely comes from ''genomos'' "earth-dweller". It has a similarity with Greek ''γνώσις'' gnosis "knowledge" which is why Tolkien used it for the wise clan of his Elves ([[Quenya]] ''[[Noldor|Ñoldo]]'' "the Wise")

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In a letter dating from [[1973]], Tolkien stated that the word ''gnome'' derives from [[Wikipedia:Paracelsus|Paracelsus]],<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Elena Jeronimides 14 June 1973]]" (letter)</ref> whom is known to have used Modern Latin ''gnomus'' in a 16th century treatise.<ref>{{webcite|author=Douglas Harper|articleurl=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=gnome&allowed_in_frame=0|articlename=gnome|dated=|website=[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php Online Etymology Dictionary]|accessed=19 June 2012}}</ref>

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The word likely comes from ''genomos'' "earth-dweller". It has a similarity with Greek ''γνώσις'' gnosis "knowledge" which is why Tolkien used it for the wise clan of his Elves ([[Quenya]] ''[[Noldor|Ñoldo]]'' "the Wise").{{fact}}

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Cf. also the [[Mannish]] word ''[[nóm]]'' meaning "wisdom".

==Inspiration==

==Inspiration==

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A [[Wikipedia:Gnome|Gnome]] is a dwarf-like creature of European folklore, often associated with [[Dwarves]] and [[Goblins]]. Traditional Gnomes however were unlike his depiction of his [[High Elves]], they were imagined as deformed, underground and by the 19th century were depicted dwarf-like.

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A [[Wikipedia:Gnome|Gnome]] is a dwarf-like creature of European folklore, often associated with [[Dwarves]] and [[Orcs|Goblins]]. Traditional Gnomes however were unlike his depiction of his [[High Elves]], they were imagined as deformed, underground and by the 19th century were depicted dwarf-like.

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For that reason Tolkien dropped the term since that would confuse the readers. However other folkloric names like "Elves", "Dwarves" and "Goblins" would persist in Tolkien's writing ever since, although he would be unsure about them (he did replace "Goblin" with "[[Orcs]]" after the publication of ''[[The Hobbit]]").

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For that reason Tolkien dropped the term since that would confuse the readers. However, other folkloric names like "Elves", "Dwarves" and "Goblins" would persist in Tolkien's writing ever since, although he would be unsure about them (he did replace "Goblin" with "[[Orcs]]" after the publication of ''[[The Hobbit]]").

==Other versions==

==Other versions==

At one time, "Gnomes" also referred to the [[Valar]].

At one time, "Gnomes" also referred to the [[Valar]].

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==External links==

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*{{WP|Gnome}}

{{references}}

{{references}}

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*[[Wikipedia:Gnomes|Gnomes]] in Wikipedia

[[Category:Elves]]

[[Category:Elves]]

Revision as of 22:05, 2 November 2012

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.

This article is about an early concept of elves. For the race of elves the Gnomes became, see Noldor.

Contents

Etymology

In a letter dating from 1973, Tolkien stated that the word gnome derives from Paracelsus,[1] whom is known to have used Modern Latin gnomus in a 16th century treatise.[2]

The word likely comes from genomos "earth-dweller". It has a similarity with Greek γνώσις gnosis "knowledge" which is why Tolkien used it for the wise clan of his Elves (QuenyaÑoldo "the Wise").[source?]

Inspiration

A Gnome is a dwarf-like creature of European folklore, often associated with Dwarves and Goblins. Traditional Gnomes however were unlike his depiction of his High Elves, they were imagined as deformed, underground and by the 19th century were depicted dwarf-like.

For that reason Tolkien dropped the term since that would confuse the readers. However, other folkloric names like "Elves", "Dwarves" and "Goblins" would persist in Tolkien's writing ever since, although he would be unsure about them (he did replace "Goblin" with "Orcs" after the publication of The Hobbit").